All About Common Toe Problems
Toe problems can really make life difficult. You might think that a little problem at the end of one of your appendages is no big deal, but if you’ve ever had a problem with one of your little piggies, you’ve probably changed your mind about the importance of your toes. So what are some of the most common toe problems?
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is one of the most common types of toe problems; it is a fungal infection also known as tinea pedis or as ringworm of the foot. The most common name, athlete’s foot, derives from the condition’s prevalence in public locker rooms. This is because the fungus often lies in wait in pools of water such as in showers. (This is why many public showers require you to wear sandals in the hope that you will avoid spreading or transmitting the fungus.)
Symptoms of athlete’s foot are dry flaky skin circling the base of the toes. Usually the skin takes on a white appearance. You treat athlete’s foot with anti-fungal cream and, when it spreads, with oral antibiotics. Athlete’s foot is related to the common versions of jock itch as well.
Bunions
A bunion is a deformity on a person’s foot that typically takes place between the person’s foot and big toe. A hard swollen section will stick out at this point and may make the person’s foot quite painful. Typically, physicians treat this condition by suggesting better footwear and occasionally some pain relieving medicines.
However if the condition is severe a surgical remedy may be necessary.
Hammer Toe
Hammertoe, also known as mallet toe, is a deformity of the toes. (It occurs in one or more of the non-big toes.) Hammertoe occurs when a person wears shoes that put undue pressure on the toes, causing them to bend into a hammer-like shape. The toe will typically remain stuck in this position. Typically, the prescription for correcting this problem is physical therapy and shoes that are more reasonable. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toenail is a condition where one or more of the nails in the foot bites into the nail bed. This condition is also known as onychocryptosis when it is a true ingrown toe nail, and as unguis incarnates, which is more descriptive than definitional. Most cases of “ingrown toe nail” turn out not to be true ingrown toenails. Regardless of the definition, the condition usually referred to as “ingrown toenail” often results from one of various causes. Like most of the cases mentioned on this page, the condition can result from improper footwear. Just as commonly, however, it results from improper nail care; not only can neglecting to cut the toenail cause this condition, but so can cutting the nail improperly as when the cutter rounds off the edges or cuts at the wrong angle influencing the nail to grow down into the tissue.
Of course, genetics and trauma are also likely to cause this condition or at least contribute to it.
Treatments can range from soaking the feet in Epson salts to surgical procedures. If there is inflammation, swelling, and fluid build up, the sufferer should go to a podiatrist to have the condition examined and the fluids drained. Avoid bandaging the toe to the point where the bandages trap fluids, as this may cause painful swelling and increase the chances of further infection.
Prevention
The toe problems listed above are only some of the possible toe conditions that may hinder normal healthy use of your feet. There are, however, some general precautions you can take to prevent many of these conditions. First and foremost, you can prevent damage to your toes by having adequate, comfortable, protective, and well-fitted footwear. Overly tight or uncomfortable footwear (e.g., high heels) may damage to the foot.
Second, you should take good care of your feet, especially if you spend a significant portion of your day on your feet. Be sure to adequately air out your feet, properly trim your nails, and soak them in Espson salts.
Finally, you should go to a podiatrist at the first sign of any difficulty or abnormalities.